Nice!!! What are the dimensions?
Raul-7's 90G Journal
Well it's about time I got into the game seeing that everyone has a large tank going. But seriously, I have always dreamt of having a large tank ever since I got into this hobby and now I've finally manage to achieve it. I hope this journal will be helpful and at the same entertaining. I bring you a custom 90G at 48"x20"x22". The tank is Euro-brace meaning it offers ample room for arm space compared to your usual acrylic tanks. It also uses 3/4" thick acrylic to ensure no bowing overtime. Here she is-
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Anyways, before buying the tank the old question came down acrylic or glass. I thought long and hard about this decision and I went with acrylic for a couple of reasons:
1. Clarity, acrylic is clearer than any glass out there including Starphire. The main selling point.
2. Inline plumbing, gave me the chance to finally setup a water changer along with two outflows and inflows at opposite ends with the use of bulkheads.
3. Insulation, this was not a main concern but it is an important one since it would mean the heater will work less frequently to stabilize the temperature and it will take longer for the outside temp. to affect the water temperature.
Then why the canopy? Why not topless? Well I would have loved nothing more than an open top, but I had to take the surrounding furniture into consideration. Having an open top and modern-style stand would clash with the traditional maple furniture in the room. Hence either get new furniture or use a canopy.
For the plumbing I will be using soft-plumbing mainly for the ease of use and for maximum flow since I won't need any elbows. Bryce's 'Fluid Mechanics' was definitely the main reason why I did not go with PVC.
However, before anything can continue I need to first raise the large painting in the back and I need to reinforce the beams underneath the house. Although the tank is near a load-bearing wall and perpendicular to the beams, I want to make sure that the support underneath won't dampen overtime.
Suggestions and questions welcome!
Anyways, before buying the tank the old question came down acrylic or glass. I thought long and hard about this decision and I went with acrylic for a couple of reasons:
1. Clarity, acrylic is clearer than any glass out there including Starphire. The main selling point.
2. Inline plumbing, gave me the chance to finally setup a water changer along with two outflows and inflows at opposite ends with the use of bulkheads.
3. Insulation, this was not a main concern but it is an important one since it would mean the heater will work less frequently to stabilize the temperature and it will take longer for the outside temp. to affect the water temperature.
Then why the canopy? Why not topless? Well I would have loved nothing more than an open top, but I had to take the surrounding furniture into consideration. Having an open top and modern-style stand would clash with the traditional maple furniture in the room. Hence either get new furniture or use a canopy.
For the plumbing I will be using soft-plumbing mainly for the ease of use and for maximum flow since I won't need any elbows. Bryce's 'Fluid Mechanics' was definitely the main reason why I did not go with PVC.
However, before anything can continue I need to first raise the large painting in the back and I need to reinforce the beams underneath the house. Although the tank is near a load-bearing wall and perpendicular to the beams, I want to make sure that the support underneath won't dampen overtime.
Suggestions and questions welcome!
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Thanks. Your tank was definitely an inspiration in taking the plunge.
The plan is to use a 4x4 perpendicular to the floor joists and support it with two floor jacks on concrete slabs.
Will do!mrbelvedere said:
Thanks! I can't remember how many hours I spent on ReefCentral looking up the differences between glass and acrylic before I finally went with acrylic. It's all fun though.
Thanks Bob! The canopy only swings back from the top, if I need to do small maintenance I can just use the front doors on the canopy which swing outward.
Nothing was built by me, hence the excellent quality!
All was custom built by Randy at SoCal Creations.
2
Alright, some progress has been made-
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I've added two pieces of wood to the supports on each side of the canopy. They're 2.5" high, 14" long and 1/4" thick. This will allow me to use the Azoo cooling fans without having to saw through the sides of the canopy and it will allow me to change their positioning.
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The filters just arrived, two massive Ocean Clears. One unit, the OC 317 (right), will filter everything from 100 microns all the way down to 50. The next unit, the OC 375, will further remove everything down to 25 microns and in the core rests an 18W ultraviolet sterilizer (not shown but included). The Poseidon PS3 (back corner) pump which will power the first canister, another PS2 will power the second. Overkill, definitely! But there's a good reason for that. I did not want to use a traditional canister filter since most are geared towards biological filtration and less mechanical. I wanted something strictly mechanical, this fits the bill perfectly. Not to mention, I'll probably only have to clean it once a year!
Foundation supports will be done on Friday.
I've added two pieces of wood to the supports on each side of the canopy. They're 2.5" high, 14" long and 1/4" thick. This will allow me to use the Azoo cooling fans without having to saw through the sides of the canopy and it will allow me to change their positioning.
The filters just arrived, two massive Ocean Clears. One unit, the OC 317 (right), will filter everything from 100 microns all the way down to 50. The next unit, the OC 375, will further remove everything down to 25 microns and in the core rests an 18W ultraviolet sterilizer (not shown but included). The Poseidon PS3 (back corner) pump which will power the first canister, another PS2 will power the second. Overkill, definitely! But there's a good reason for that. I did not want to use a traditional canister filter since most are geared towards biological filtration and less mechanical. I wanted something strictly mechanical, this fits the bill perfectly. Not to mention, I'll probably only have to clean it once a year!
Foundation supports will be done on Friday.
Hey Raul - is that outlet a GFCI?
Another question...the canopy looks tall enough, but will the fans fit without interfering with your light fixture? Let me know if you need any dimensions on the fans.
Another question...the canopy looks tall enough, but will the fans fit without interfering with your light fixture? Let me know if you need any dimensions on the fans.
Nope. Not yet, but it will be.Hey Raul - is that outlet a GFCI?
Great question. The MH retrofits are only 3" high and will be more centered. I believe the fans are about 5" high; the canopy is 11" high from the bottom of the supports. It shouldn't be a problem, unless you're seeing something I am not?
Thanks!Orlando said:
Don't worry, I'll include a lot more pictures once the plumbing starts coming together.dantra said:
Nah - you should be fine! I suppose I just assumed you were going to be usinf a 4ft fixture of one variety or the other. THAT might have been a problem. Anyways, got a ling to the MH retrofits?Great question. The MH retrofits are only 3" high and will be more centered. I believe the fans are about 5" high; the canopy is 11" high from the bottom of the supports. It shouldn't be a problem, unless you're seeing something I am not?
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